Photos: Vancouver Canucks NHL coaches through the years … did you know?

PNG files, .05.05.2012

Hal Laycoe, shown in 1989. Laycoe (1970 to 1972) was the first head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Laycoe, a long-time NHL defenceman in the 1950s, was a Boston Bruin when he so angered Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard of the Montreal Canadiens that the Habs superstar attacked him with his stick. Thus, the Richard suspension, followed by the infamous Richard Riot in Montreal in the spring of 1955.

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Hal Laycoe, pictured as a player with the Montreal Canadiens, circa 1950. Laycoe (1970 to 1972) was the first head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Laycoe, a long-time NHL defenceman in the 1950s, was a Boston Bruin when he so angered Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard of the Montreal Canadiens that the Habs superstar attacked him with his stick. Thus, the Richard suspension, followed by the infamous Richard Riot in Montreal in the spring of 1955.Province files
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Hal Laycoe in the early 1970s. Laycoe (1970 to 1972) was the first head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Laycoe, a long-time NHL defenceman in the 1950s, was a Boston Bruin when he so angered Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard of the Montreal Canadiens that the Habs superstar attacked him with his stick. Thus, the Richard suspension, followed by the infamous Richard Riot in Montreal in the spring of 1955.PNG files
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Vic Stasiuk, pictured as a player with the WHL's Edmonton Flyers circa 1954. Stasiuk (1972 to 1973) was the second head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Stasiuk, who earlier had coached the Philadelphia Flyers and the California Golden Seals, was a player with the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings of the early 1950s, and played on three teams that won the Stanley Cup.Vancouver Sun files
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Bill McCreary (1973 to 1974) was the third head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: McCreary was a journeyman player for the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens and St. Louis Blues. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire: McCreary moved on from the Canucks to become GM of the perennially troubled California Golden Seals franchise.Vancouver Sun files
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Phil Maloney as a player with the WHL's Vancouver Canucks, circa 1960s. Maloney (1974 to 1977) was the fourth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Maloney, who guided the Canucks to their first successful season in 1974-75 (first place in the Smythe Division), was a journeyman player who played at times for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs and Chicago Blackhawks. More importantly, though, Maloney had a long minor-league career highlighted by all or part of 14 seasons with the Western Hockey League’s Vancouver Canucks.Vancouver Sun files
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Orland Kurtenbach as the NHL Canucks' first captain, in 1970-71. Kurtenbach (1977 to 1978) was the fifth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Kurtenbach, of course, was the NHL Canucks’ first captain (1970 to 1974), but prior to that was one of the league’s most feared fighters through the 1960s with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. Kurtenbach, who also spent two minor-league seasons with the WHL’s Vancouver Canucks, was a coaching success, too — witness a Central Hockey League title with the 1975-76 Tulsa Oilers and a national Tier 2 Centennial Cup championship with the 1986-87 Richmond Sockeyes.Vancouver Sun files
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Orland Kurtenbach as a player with the WHL's Vancouver Canucks, circa late 1950s. Kurtenbach (1977 to 1978) was the fifth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Kurtenbach, of course, was the NHL Canucks’ first captain (1970 to 1974), but prior to that was one of the league’s most feared fighters through the 1960s with the New York Rangers, Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs. Kurtenbach, who also spent two minor-league seasons with the WHL’s Vancouver Canucks, was a coaching success, too — witness a Central Hockey League title with the 1975-76 Tulsa Oilers and a national Tier 2 Centennial Cup championship with the 1986-87 Richmond Sockeyes.Province files
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Harry Neale (on the left), shown with a young Stan Smyl circa 1980. Neale (1978 to 1982, then 1984, and then — after the short-lived Bill LaForge) 1984 to 1985) was the sixth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Neale was a highly touted prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization with the junior Toronto Marlboros (1955-56 Memorial Cup champions) who never did make the big club. While Neale won’t be remembered fondly in Vancouver for trading away Cam Neely, he did go on to better success as a long-time colour analyst on Hockey Night In Canada.John Denniston
/ Province files

Harry Neale (on the left), shown with then-GM Jake Milford and first-round draft choice Rick Vaive in 1979. Neale (1978 to 1982, then 1984, and then — after the short-lived Bill LaForge) 1984 to 1985) was the sixth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Neale was a highly touted prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization with the junior Toronto Marlboros (1955-56 Memorial Cup champions) who never did make the big club. While Neale won’t be remembered fondly in Vancouver for trading away Cam Neely, he did go on to better success as a long-time colour analyst on Hockey Night In Canada.Dave Paterson
/ Province files

Harry Neale (1978 to 1982, then 1984, and then — after the short-lived Bill LaForge) 1984 to 1985) was the sixth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Neale was a highly touted prospect in the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization with the junior Toronto Marlboros (1955-56 Memorial Cup champions) who never did make the big club. While Neale won’t be remembered fondly in Vancouver for trading away Cam Neely, he did go on to better success as a long-time colour analyst on Hockey Night In Canada.Vancouver Sun files
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Roger Neilson (1982 to 1984) was the seventh head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Captain Video’ only went behind the bench of the Canucks in the spring of 1982 when Harry Neale got suspended. The Canucks rolled on to an unlikely Stanley Cup final appearance. Neilson, who only made the jump to professional hockey coach after a decade as the bench boss of the junior Peterborough Petes, would go on to be a head coach for seven different NHL teams over a 25-year period.Vancouver Sun files
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Bill LaForge (1984) was the eighth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: LaForge got the Canucks’ job (Mike Keenan, who went to the Philadelphia Flyers, had been considered another candidate in the mix at this time) after he guided the Kamloops Junior Oilers to the 1984 Memorial Cup tournament. Coaching professionals turned out be another matter, though, as LaForge infamously lasted just 22 regular season games before getting fired by GM Harry Neale.Province files
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Bill LaForge (on the left), shown with then-top draft pick — and on crutches! — Jean-Jacques Daigneault in 1984. LaForge (1984) was the eighth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: LaForge got the Canucks’ job (Mike Keenan, who went to the Philadelphia Flyers, had been considered another candidate in the mix at this time) after he guided the Kamloops Junior Oilers to the 1984 Memorial Cup tournament. Coaching professionals turned out be another matter, though, as LaForge infamously lasted just 22 regular season games before getting fired by GM Harry Neale.Vancouver Sun files
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Tom Watt (1985 to 1987) was the ninth head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Watt, who had moderate success prior to his Canucks tenure coaching the Winnipeg Jets, had an outstanding tenure as bench boss for the University of Toronto Varsity Blues, as his teams captured 11 conference titles and nine CIAU championships.Vancouver Sun files
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Bob McCammon (1987 to 1991) was the 10th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: McCammon enjoyed some success before the Canucks as a two-time coach of the Philadelphia Flyers and, for the 1983-84 season, as their general manager. With Vancouver in 1988–89, he was runner-up to Montreal's Pat Burns for the Jack Adams Trophy as NHL coach of the year.Ian Smith
/ Vancouver Sun files

Pat Quinn, shown yelling behind the bench with veteran Russ Courtnall (left) and a young Markus Naslund right) in front. Quinn (1991 to 1994 and 1996) was the 11th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘The Big Irishman’ had a long, largely successful association with the Canucks both as a coach and a GM, the highlight being a Game 7 Stanley Cup final appearance against the (ultimately victorious) New York Rangers. In his own right, Quinn became the first Canucks coach to win the Jack Adams Trophy as the league’s coach of the year (1991-92).Peter Battistoni
/ Vancouver Sun files

Pat Quinn (1991 to 1994 and 1996) was the 11th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘The Big Irishman’ had a long, largely successful association with the Canucks both as a coach and a GM, the highlight being a Game 7 Stanley Cup final appearance against the (ultimately victorious) New York Rangers. In his own right, Quinn became the first Canucks coach to win the Jack Adams Trophy as the league’s coach of the year (1991-92).Bill Keay
/ Vancouver Sun files

Pat Quinn (1991 to 1994 and 1996) was the 11th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘The Big Irishman’ had a long, largely successful association with the Canucks both as a coach and a GM, the highlight being a Game 7 Stanley Cup final appearance against the (ultimately victorious) New York Rangers. In his own right, Quinn became the first Canucks coach to win the Jack Adams Trophy as the league’s coach of the year (1991-92).Bill Keay
/ Vancouver Sun files

Rick Ley (1994 to 1996) was the 12th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Ley, a long-time associate of Pat Quinn (whom he later served under in Toronto with the Maple Leafs), was a rugged defenceman in his playing days and was part of two Memorial Cup championship teams with the junior Niagara Falls Flyers. After four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ley jumped to the new World Hockey Association’s New England Whalers, where he was good enough to have his jersey (No. 2) retired.Ian Lindsay
/ Vancouver Sun files

Rick Ley (on the left) follows the action at practice with GM Pat Quinn to the right. Ley (1994 to 1996) was the 12th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: Ley, a long-time associate of Pat Quinn (whom he later served under in Toronto with the Maple Leafs), was a rugged defenceman in his playing days and was part of two Memorial Cup championship teams with the junior Niagara Falls Flyers. After four seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ley jumped to the new World Hockey Association’s New England Whalers, where he was good enough to have his jersey (No. 2) retired.Steve Bosch
/ Vancouver Sun files

Tom Renney (1996 to 1997) was the 13th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: While he lasted just 19 games into his second season as Canucks coach, Renney went on to have greater success behind the bench of the New York Rangers (a plus .500 record over parts of five seasons) and … well, not-so great (the last two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. Prior to the NHL, Renney led the Kamloops Blazers to the 1991-92 Memorial Cup championship and Canada to a silver medal at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.Wayne Leidenfrost
/ Province files

Tom Renney doesn't exactly have the undivided attention of veteran Mike Sillinger (on the left) here. Renney (1996 to 1997) was the 13th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: While he lasted just 19 games into his second season as Canucks coach, Renney went on to have greater success behind the bench of the New York Rangers (a plus .500 record over parts of five seasons) and … well, not-so great (the last two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. Prior to the NHL, Renney led the Kamloops Blazers to the 1991-92 Memorial Cup championship and Canada to a silver medal at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.Ian Lindsay
/ Vancouver Sun files

Tom Renney (1996 to 1997) was the 13th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: While he lasted just 19 games into his second season as Canucks coach, Renney went on to have greater success behind the bench of the New York Rangers (a plus .500 record over parts of five seasons) and … well, not-so great (the last two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers. Prior to the NHL, Renney led the Kamloops Blazers to the 1991-92 Memorial Cup championship and Canada to a silver medal at the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics.Bill Keay
/ Vancouver Sun files

Mike Keenan has his players' attention on the bench, including newly installed captain Mark Messier (second from right) during a late 1990s game. Keenan (1997 to 1999) was the 14th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Iron Mike’ has enjoyed considerable success as a head coach of eight NHL teams, though Canucks fans will have a healthy debate over which was his biggest negative: coaching the New York Rangers team that dashed the Canucks’ Stanley Cup dream in the spring of 1994 or engineering the trade of fan favourite Trevor Linden out of Vancouver in 1998.Steve Bosch
/ Vancouver Sun files

Mike Keenan (1997 to 1999) was the 14th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Iron Mike’ has enjoyed considerable success as a head coach of eight NHL teams, though Canucks fans will have a healthy debate over which was his biggest negative: coaching the New York Rangers team that dashed the Canucks’ Stanley Cup dream in the spring of 1994 or engineering the trade of fan favourite Trevor Linden out of Vancouver in 1998.Steve Bosch
/ Vancouver Sun files

Mike Keenan (1997 to 1999) was the 14th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Iron Mike’ has enjoyed considerable success as a head coach of eight NHL teams, though Canucks fans will have a healthy debate over which was his biggest negative: coaching the New York Rangers team that dashed the Canucks’ Stanley Cup dream in the spring of 1994 or engineering the trade of fan favourite Trevor Linden out of Vancouver in 1998.Steve Bosch
/ Vancouver Sun files

Marc Crawford (1999 to 2006) was the 15th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Crow’ won the most regular season games as a Vancouver Canucks coach, until his successor passed him, and won a Stanley Cup title with the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96. Success eluded Crawford in his last two NHL stops, though, as he failed to get both the L.A. Kings and the Dallas Stars into the playoffs over four seasons.Ian Smith
/ Vancouver Sun files

Marc Crawford (1999 to 2006) was the 15th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Crow’ won the most regular season games as a Vancouver Canucks coach, until his successor passed him, and won a Stanley Cup title with the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96. Success eluded Crawford in his last two NHL stops, though, as he failed to get both the L.A. Kings and the Dallas Stars into the playoffs over four seasons.Mark van Manen
/ Vancouver Sun files

Marc Crawford (1999 to 2006) was the 15th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Crow’ won the most regular season games as a Vancouver Canucks coach, until his successor passed him, and won a Stanley Cup title with the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96. Success eluded Crawford in his last two NHL stops, though, as he failed to get both the L.A. Kings and the Dallas Stars into the playoffs over four seasons.Mark van Manen
/ Vancouver Sun files

Alain Vigneault (2006 until the present) is the 16th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Coach Vee’ is already the Canucks franchise leader in regular season coaching wins with 267, and in six seasons behind the bench has won the last two Presidents’ Trophies as NHL regular season champs, a Jack Adams Trophy as the league’s top coach in 2006-07 and a Stanley Cup final berth in 2010-11.Steve Bosch
/ Vancouver Sun files

Alain Vigneault (2006 until the present) is the 16th head coach in the history of the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise. DID YOU KNOW: ‘Coach Vee’ is already the Canucks franchise leader in regular season coaching wins with 267, and in six seasons behind the bench has won the last two Presidents’ Trophies as NHL regular season champs, a Jack Adams Trophy as the league’s top coach in 2006-07 and a Stanley Cup final berth in 2010-11.Glenn Baglo
/ PNG files

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